Julian Araujo knew in order to get where he wanted to go, he had to leave home.

It sounds simple enough, but when you’re 15, it is the biggest decision of your life.

“I played one year of high school soccer,” Araujo said. “It wasn’t that big of a decision (leaving high school) because I knew if I wanted to get where I wanted to get, I had to leave my home and get out of my comfort zone.

“If you’re comfortable, you need to get uncomfortable in order to reach your goal and I knew this is what I wanted, so I had to leave and do whatever I had to do to get to where I wanted to be. I’ve been away from home for two years. I wouldn’t say it gets easier, but I feel like I’m used to it.”

The Lompoc native first moved to the Barca Academy in Arizona. The academy is affiliated with FC Barcelona.

After the academy, Araujo, now 17, arrived in Carson to join the Galaxy Academy.

“I knew this was the place where I wanted to start my career,” he said. “I knew this was going to be the best development for me. Signing my first contract with the Galaxy is a dream come true. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Araujo made his Galaxy II debut in October. Before the start of this season, he was signed to a first-team deal with the Galaxy.

He’s made two appearances so far, a five-minute substitute spot in the 3-2 win over Minnesota United (March 16) and 25 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.

He replaced right back Rolf Feltscher in Sunday’s game after Feltscher came off with an injury.

“I still have to work,” Araujo said. “I’m feeling a bit more comfortable, but I just have to continue to work and stay tuned with the team and keep working hard and do whatever I can to help out the team.”

Araujo recently received a call-up to the U.S. U-23’s for a pair of friendlies in Europe in March. He was part of the U.S. U-20 team that competed in the CONCACAF U-20 tournament in October and has his sights set on the U.S. U-20 squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Until then, he’s hard at work, on and off the field.

“I’m learning a lot of new things,” Araujo said “Being confident, taking my chances and not being so afraid to be myself. There are a lot of things I’ve learned from being around the players.”

Araujo’s rapid ascent could include another first as he is in line for his first starting assignment as the Galaxy hosts the Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m.; Spectrum SportsNet) Friday night.

Araujo’s confidence is another trait the Galaxy staff likes about the teenager.

“When we have Academy players like Julian that are good enough for the first team, we will sign them to the first team,” Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese said. “Our club’s structure and mentality will allow a young player like Julian to develop into a top first-team talent.”

Te Kloese and Schelotto’s arrival has given young players like Araujo and 16-year-old Efrain Alvarez a chance at first-team minutes – opportunities that haven’t been available under recent regimes with the Galaxy.

“The coaching staff has a lot of confidence in us young players and it honestly makes us feel so much better about us training every day,” Araujo said. “It motivates us and it gives us a reason every day to want to work hard, knowing that we do have a chance to play on the (first) team.

Damian Calhoun is the Prep Sports Coordinator and writer for the Daily Breeze. He's also the soccer writer for the Southern California News Group, covering Major League Soccer and occasionally the U.S. national teams.